Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed his condolences to the Nigerian Tribune Newspaper, on the passing of its Editorial Board Chairman, Prof. Wale Are Olaitan.
He described the death of Prof. Olaitan, a distinguished member of the Editorial Board for more than three decades, as a colossal loss to the Nigerian Tribune and the media industry in Nigeria.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said Prof. Olaitan, a highly respected columnist, was among those who shaped the country’s socio-political sphere through his column, ‘Discourse’, published every Tuesday in the Nigerian Tribune.
The Governor urged the management and staff of the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, the publisher of the Nigerian Tribune, and the entire family, friends and associates of the deceased to accept Prof. Olaitan’s departure in good faith.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also described Olaitan, a professor of Political Science, who had the honour of being the first alumnus of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ogun State, to serve as its vice chancellor, as a distinguished scholar and advocate for social justice.
He said: “On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Lagos State, I extend my deepest condolences to the media industry, particularly African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, on the passing of the Chairman, Editorial Board of Nigerian Tribune .
“Prof. Wale Are Olaitan was a respected columnist who made a positive impact during his lifetime through his weekly column, ‘Discourse’, published every Tuesday in the Nigerian Tribune. He left a lasting legacy in the media and education industry.
“I pray that God will grant Prof. Wale Are Olaitan eternal rest and comfort his family, friends, associates, colleagues and students.”
In a related development, the Chairman, Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), Mr. Babatunde Osibodu has also consoled the family of late Mr. Tajudeen Omolaja, a Commissioner in the Commission.
Osibodu described the passing away of the Commissioner as sad and untimely.
In a condolence letter written to the Omolaja family of Oke-Ata, Abeokuta, Osibodu said the late Omolaja was more than a distinguished public servant but a peacemaker and a father figure to all who crossed his path, whose warmth, wisdom and unwavering sense of fairness was second to none.
“As a Commissioner in OGSIEC, Tajudeen Omolaja was a strong advocate for fair electoral practices. He worked tirelessly to ensure the Commission’s successes in the 2021 and 2024 Local Government Elections respectively in the State, while his dedication, transparency and professionalism served as guiding light to all,” he said.
He prayed that God should comfort the family of “Baba Alajo” as he was fondly called and assured the family that the prayers of the OGSIEC family were with them in this difficult time of their grief.
Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Suraj Abdul during the visit and presentation of the condolence letter to the deceased family, said the late Commissioner was a passionate man, loved by all and would be greatly missed.
Responding, the Wife of the late Commissioner, Mrs. Olajumoke Omolaja, appreciated OGSIEC for the visit and support at this grieving period, saying they took solace in God, the giver and taker of life.
